Out of her dreams Out of her dreams

Happy 88th birthday actress and singer Shirley Jones.

Anti-war Anna Anti-war Anna

Anna Netrebko has issued a statement explicitly condemning the war in Ukraine.

Mark, with thee we mean to live Mark, with thee we mean to live

People these days often exclaim “…..is everything!” but often it feels like gross hyperbole. But surely anyone who has seen Mark Morris’s L’Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato since it premiered in 1989 would agree that it is indeed everything!

Welcome to the musical theater Welcome to the musical theater

On this day in 1970 Lauren Bacall made her dancing and “singing” debut at the Palace Theatre in Applause, a musical version of All About Eve that went on to run 895 performances.

One big heart in all the world One big heart in all the world

Born on this day in 1918 actress and singer Pearl Bailey.

Through different eyes Through different eyes

I was reminded at the Met’s season premiere of Eugene Onegin Friday night always to expect the unexpected.

Same as it ever was Same as it ever was

I must confess to feeling a bit of “Tosca fatigue” as I entered the Lyric Opera of Chicago house for Wednesday’s matinee of the Puccini standard.

Vagabond shoes Vagabond shoes

Happy 36th birthday singer, songwriter, and actress Lady Gaga.

I’m the greatest star I’m the greatest star

Born on this day in 1899 film diva and entrepreneuse Gloria Swanson.

Second banana Second banana

Happy 73rd birthday actress, comedian, talk show host, and singer Vicki Lawrence.

Don Carlos Don Carlos

Network Broadcast Premiere of French-language version

Eugene Onegin Eugene Onegin

Ailyn Pérez makes her role debut as Tatiana opposite Igor Golovatenko in the title role of the urbane nobleman who rejects her, much to his later dismay.

Enter the queen Enter the queen

Eleonora Buratto will make her role debut as Elisabeth de Valois in Verdi’s Don Carlo in the 2022–23 season, replacing Anna Netrebko for the first five performances of the run.”

Light up my Rameau Light up my Rameau

For those who complain (not entirely unfairly) that Handel operas are “just a string of da capo arias,” I sometimes mutter to myself, “Have they ever tried Rameau?”

Human nature Human nature

Born on this day in 1921 actress Simone Signoret.

Turandot Turandot

RAI TV5 will televise Ai Weiwei’s production from the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma.

The favorite The favorite

Gabriela Benacková, one of Trove Thursday’s favorite sopranos, turns 75 tomorrow, so we celebrate with two rare complete Verdi portrayals.

The Sultan of Sequins The Sultan of Sequins

Born on this day in 1940 designer Bob Mackie.

Baby got backup Baby got backup

Michel van der Aa’s new opera UPLOAD at the Park Avenue Armory explores the various ethical issues surrounding AI while coming back to a set of classic philosophical questions about free will, pain and the nature of the soul.

“I am just too much” “I am just too much”

Born on this day in 1904(!) actress Joan Crawford.

Turandot Turandot

Michael Fabiano makes his role debut as Calaf in this performance from the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma.

Daughter of the wind Daughter of the wind

Happy 72nd birthday actress, director and screenwriter Fanny Ardant.

Soaring on multicolored wings Soaring on multicolored wings

Eleanora Buratto at this fully matured point of her career has a warm, creamy full lyric soprano that has the roundness and sweet warmth of a Freni but can also expand into the spinto power of a Tebaldi. 

‘Così,’ cheap ‘n cheerful ‘Così,’ cheap ‘n cheerful

In 2022, making Così fan tutte intimate is not a radical act. Making it enjoyable, however, is.